Today I learned from last week and ran only in the canyon. I realized also that at 7 miles, this was a great run to do all downhill, to get my muscles ready for the provo 1/2 marathon in 5 weeks, which is all downhill on the same trail.
It appears that Vivian park is about 5.5 miles or so from the trailhead, so I had to park an additional 1.5 miles up South Fork.
South Fork is where most of the steepness is, and it shows from my sub 10 minute pace, despite trying to hold back. At Vivian I of course continued on down the Parkway Trail to the trailhead, where Tara picked me up to shuttle me back to my car. I ran the 7 mile length in about 67 minutes, faster than my WBR goal pace of 10:00. I'll have to decide my provo river 1/2 marathon goal pace, but it probably ought to not be too much faster than 10:00.
Running the trail was great, shade almost the whole time, the wind at my back, lots of fellow runners, bikers, and roller-bladers. I also saw lots of opportunities for my new mountain bike - where the Great Western Trail and Bonneville Shoreline trail both connect in. That will have to wait until after the big race in August.
